Hiking to Photograph the Lone Star Geyser

Lone Star Geyser gets its name from being one the most isolated major geysers. The trailhead begins just south of Old Faithful, along the Loop Road. This trail follows the Firehole River for 2.5 miles along an old service road, through a mix of wooded areas and open meadows. Wildlife spotting is possible along the river so keep an eye out.

Near the end of the trail, you'll find the familiar smell of a geyser basin, and the trees start thinning out. You'll come to a large clearing, which is the Lone Star Geyser Basin. You can't miss the main attraction, which is a large cone shaped geyser.

Once you arrive, you may be relaxing for a while waiting on the geyser to start. It usually shows some little signs of activity, before going all out.

Lone Star Geyser erupts approximately every three hours, lasting for 30 minutes. The water from the geyser can reach up to 40 feet high. There is a log book in a cache nearby to log eruptions and times. This is a must see if you have extra time after visiting the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful.

Community Photos

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Reviews

Why view a geyser with 500 other people when you can have the area to yourself (or maybe just a few people)? Lone Star Geyser was so spectacular and a much needed experience after the let-down of Old Faithful. We shared the eruption with just one other group of hikers, so it was truly an unforgettable experience. We didn't have to worry about crowds and people in our photos like we did at Old Faithful. The hike is pretty easy, a good trail that is paved most of the way. There was still some snow on it during our visit in early May, but it was easily passable with hiking shoes. This is definitely a must-see!